Chelsea, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chelsea, Alabama had a total population of 16,260, the 45th largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $115,337, which is 80% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 80% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Alabama.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.7% — among the lowest in Alabama.
- 48.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Alabama.
Chelsea Quick Facts
How Chelsea Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 15,731 | 16,260 | +3.4% |
| Median household income | $110,056 | $115,337 | +4.8% |
| Median home value | $339,400 | $360,000 | +6.1% |
How Chelsea Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Chelsea Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Shelby County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabaster | 33,917 | $91,357 | 7.1% | $261,700 |
| Pelham | 24,827 | $101,094 | 6.7% | $299,800 |
| Calera | 17,714 | $87,194 | 7.3% | $235,300 |
| Meadowbrook | 9,117 | $141,862 | 5.5% | $423,700 |
| Brook Highland | 8,146 | $79,904 | 4.6% | $427,400 |
| Montevallo | 7,556 | $56,626 | 17.7% | $220,700 |
| Highland Lakes | 5,866 | $169,361 | 4.1% | $599,200 |
| Columbiana | 4,725 | $80,546 | 9.8% | $259,500 |
| Eagle Point | 3,110 | $151,842 | 3.2% | $493,800 |
| Indian Springs Village | 2,537 | $136,836 | 3.4% | $555,800 |
Cities Similar to Chelsea
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gardendale | 16,534 | $82,192 | $252,600 | 31.2% | 4.3% |
| Gulf Shores | 16,401 | $78,188 | $382,700 | 39.9% | 11.5% |
| Calera | 17,714 | $87,194 | $235,300 | 37.1% | 7.3% |
| Hartselle | 15,847 | $76,290 | $203,800 | 27.9% | 13.3% |
| Muscle Shoals | 16,951 | $75,894 | $199,700 | 24.0% | 12.8% |
Population Overview
Chelsea is a small city located in Alabama, within Shelby County. The total population is 16,260. It ranks as the 45th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chelsea is 37.6 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chelsea is $115,337. This is 80% higher than the state median of $63,999. It is also 43% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.7%. This is 83% lower than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 3.2%. This is 32% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $360,000. Housing costs are 72% higher than the state median of $209,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 90.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% higher than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chelsea is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 8.5%. The Black or African American population (8.5%) is well below the state average of 25.6%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.
Education
48.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Chelsea in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 71% higher than the state rate of 28.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chelsea, Alabama is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Alabama state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 592 Census-designated places in Alabama. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Chelsea, Alabama?
Chelsea, Alabama has a population of 16,260 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chelsea, AL?
The median household income in Chelsea is $115,337, which is 43% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chelsea, AL?
The poverty rate in Chelsea is 2.7%. This means approximately 436 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chelsea, Alabama?
Chelsea's population is 80.5% White, 8.5% Black, 5.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chelsea, AL?
The median home value in Chelsea is $360,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Chelsea, Alabama?
48.5% of adults (25+) in Chelsea hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.